Trulicity vs. Ozempic
See how Trulicity and Ozempic compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Trulicity and Ozempic are both once-weekly GLP-1 injections for type 2 diabetes, but Trulicity is approved for children 10 and older while Ozempic is adults-only.
Ozempic has an added FDA approval to slow chronic kidney disease progression, an indication Trulicity does not carry.
Both drugs cause similar rates of nausea, but Trulicity has higher reported rates of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in trials.
Trulicity vs. Ozempic Drug Summary
Trulicity
Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to control blood sugar in adults and children age 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It also lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or multiple risk factors. It's injected under the skin once a week using a prefilled pen.
Ozempic
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise. It also reduces cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease, and slows chronic kidney disease progression. It's injected under the skin once a week using a prefilled pen.
Trulicity vs. Ozempic Side Effects
Trulicity
Ozempic
Trulicity vs. Ozempic Dosage
Trulicity
Ozempic
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.75 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 4.5 mg once weekly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | Every 4 weeks |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 2 mg once weekly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | Every 4 weeks |
Trulicity
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.75 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 4.5 mg once weekly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | Every 4 weeks |
Ozempic
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 0.25 mg once weekly | Weeks 1-4 |
| Maximum dose | 2 mg once weekly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | Every 4 weeks |
Trulicity vs. Ozempic Indications
Trulicity
Trulicity is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults and children age 10 and older with type 2 diabetes. It's also approved to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes who have established heart disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Some doctors prescribe it off-label for weight loss in people without diabetes.
Blood sugar control in adults and children 10+
Lowers cardiovascular risk with heart disease or risk factors
Approved for pediatric type 2 diabetes
Off-label: weight loss without diabetes
Ozempic
Ozempic is FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, used along with diet and exercise. It's also approved to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease, and to slow chronic kidney disease progression. Some doctors prescribe it off-label for weight loss, though that indication officially belongs to Wegovy.
Blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Lowers cardiovascular risk with known heart disease
Slows chronic kidney disease progression
Off-label: weight loss without diabetes
Trulicity vs. Ozempic Pros and Cons
Trulicity
Trulicity is a GLP-1 agonist approved for both adults and children age 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, and its cardiovascular indication covers people with multiple risk factors, not just existing heart disease. It offers four dose strengths, giving more room to increase the dose if needed. Insurance coverage for both drugs varies widely by plan.
Pros
Approved for children 10 and older, unlike Ozempic's adults-only approval
Cardiovascular indication includes patients with multiple risk factors, not just existing heart disease
Offers two additional higher maintenance doses (3 mg, 4.5 mg) for extra blood sugar control
Cons
Higher reported rates of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain than Ozempic in trials
Starts at a higher 0.75 mg dose versus Ozempic's gentler 0.25 mg start
Not approved to slow chronic kidney disease progression, an indication Ozempic carries
Ozempic
Ozempic is a GLP-1 agonist approved only for adults with type 2 diabetes, but it carries an added indication to slow chronic kidney disease progression that Trulicity does not have. Its titration starts at a lower dose, which may ease the transition for some patients. Insurance coverage for both drugs varies widely by plan.
Pros
Approved to slow chronic kidney disease progression, an indication Trulicity lacks
Starts at a lower 0.25 mg dose, allowing a gentler titration
Lower reported rates of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain than Trulicity in trials
Cons
Only approved for adults, not children, unlike Trulicity's pediatric approval
Cardiovascular indication requires established heart disease, not just risk factors
Fewer maintenance dose options at the higher end (max 2 mg vs Trulicity's 4.5 mg)
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